Interview with Ben Power, Founder of Springhouse Solicitors

Tell us a bit about yourself

I founded Springhouse Solicitors from scratch in 2010 as a boutique employment law firm. We now have six offices in London and across the South East, and aspire to becoming a national brand.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in the legal sector?

I started working life as a TV documentary researcher. I worked on various investigative documentaries for Channel 4 and the BBC, including a documentary following sexual harassment complaints through the Employment Tribunals. TV lost its appeal for me when reality TV started taking over the airwave and I retrained to become a lawyer.

Tell us about your role

My focus is on growing our network of offices and making sure that we have a unique and high value offering not only for our clients, but also for our staff.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love being part of a team that is not only passionate about employment law and our clients, but about growing Springhouse as a business and a brand. It simply would not be as enjoyable if the whole firm, from fee-earners to practice assistants, were not involved.

What’s the most challenging element of your job?

Hiring the right lawyers is our biggest challenge. We realise that employment solicitors are interviewing us as much as we them and need to make sure they choose Springhouse!

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your professional career so far?

My biggest single influence is a loss of faith in the traditional law firm model, particularly the partnership model. Management by committee often means that things just don’t get done. There can also be something of a clubby atmosphere amongst the partnership which can be very demotivating for staff.

What do you think the emerging skills are which will best equip lawyers of the future?

The ability to master new tech, comms, and the latest media platforms are something that the lawyers of the future will really be able to show off about and capitalise upon.

The business world is going to experience more change over the next few years than it has done in centuries, and the ability to stay positive, keep an eye on developments, and spot new opportunities rather than problems, will be key.

Do you have any advice for new trainees or paralegals beginning a career in law?

Yes, lots! I’m very happy to offer advice to budding employment lawyers if they reach out to me. Some headlines:

• Develop your non-legal CV. Aptitude in the latest technologies, and media will help you stand head and shoulders above the rest.
• Network: get out, talk to your profession face to face and be part of the conversation.
• In any applications explain the benefits you can bring to the firm, rather than the benefits it can bring to you.
• Develop a specialism. Be passionate about it. Be guided by your cause, not money or status.
• Recognise that you will be part of a business, where the value of your services needs to be sold for profit. Remember that without the business of law, there is no law. 

In practice, recognise that answers will usually be grey (more so when you get other opinions). Do not be scared by this. Clients will want to see you coming off the fence and making a recommendation. Be confident and go for it: you will enjoy yourself so much more.